Single-Ended Link Reference Mixing for Power Noise Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed single-ended data transmission systems face challenges in maintaining link performance due to resonant noise from sudden power changes in power delivery networks, which affects bit error rates and power consumption, especially in burst mode operations.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission system that includes a reference voltage generation circuit, which mixes noise from both power supply voltages to create a shared reference voltage, used in receivers to enhance data eye stability and robustness, allowing for higher data transmission rates and the implementation of multi-level transmission systems like PAM4.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If single-ended data transmission is used to achieve higher density, then system density is improved, but link performance deteriorates due to resonant noise from power delivery network fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful resonant noise from the power delivery network into a beneficial reference signal. By capturing the noise from both transmitter and receiver power networks and mixing them to create a shared reference voltage, the system transforms the power-induced interference that degrades link performance into a common reference that both ends use for signal comparison, thereby improving bit error rate performance while maintaining single-ended density benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference voltage generation circuit as an intermediary component that mixes noise signals from both power delivery networks. This intermediary reference voltage serves as a mediator between the transmitter and receiver, allowing both ends to compensate for power-induced noise effects by using the same noisy reference, thereby improving link reliability without sacrificing the density advantages of single-ended transmission
2Device complexity
If reference voltage is generated using conventional methods, then device complexity is reduced, but data eye stability deteriorates due to uncorrelated noise between transmitter and receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously independent reference voltage generation circuits at the transmitter and receiver into a unified system. By combining noise signals from both power delivery networks through mixing and creating a shared reference voltage that both ends use, the system achieves correlated noise cancellation. This merging improves data eye stability by ensuring both transmitter and receiver experience the same reference variations, while the implementation remains integrated within the existing transmission system architecture
3Productivity
If higher data transmission rates are implemented, then productivity is improved, but noise susceptibility increases causing bit error rate to worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reference voltage, generated by mixing noise from both power delivery networks, is fed back to both transmitter and receiver. This feedback ensures that both ends use the same noisy reference voltage, allowing them to correlate and cancel power-induced noise effects. The feedback approach enables higher data transmission rates by improving noise immunity and reducing bit error rates through coordinated noise compensation at both ends of the link
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly improves data transmission fidelity by enlarging the data eye, enabling higher data transmission rates and robustness against noise, and allows for the transition from conventional two-level to multi-level data transmission systems, effectively doubling bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
a reference voltage generation circuit, which mixes noise from both power supply voltages to create a shared reference voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A data transmission system includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a reference voltage generation circuit. The first circuit includes a transmitter powered by a first power supply voltage and having an input for receiving a data output signal, and an output. The second circuit includes a receiver powered by a second power supply voltage and having a first input coupled to the output of the transmitter, a second input for receiving a reference voltage, and an output for providing a data input signal. The reference voltage generation circuit forms the reference voltage by mixing a first signal generated by the first circuit based on the first power supply voltage and a second signal generated by the second circuit based on the second power supply voltage.